League Notes

In DC, Steven Goff reported the U.S. Soccer Federation’s “exhaustive” 990 tax form for the period of April 2011-March 2012 shows the federation “reported $56.5 million in revenue and $59.6 million in expenses for a shortfall of $3.1 million.” USSF Secretary General & CEO Dan Flynn “earned $611,478,” while USSF President Sunil Gulati serves in “an unpaid position.” U.S. men's national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann “collected $1,047,172 -- a portion of his $2.5 million salary.” Former U.S. national women's soccer coach Pia Sundhage, who served for the entire tax period including the ’11 Women’s World Cup, “earned $299,190.” Goff noted the USSF “receives $8.5 million annually from Soccer United Marketing.” Nike last year “directly compensated” the USSF for $12.6M “in funding and equipment” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/13).

ICE HIKE: ESPN Chicago's Jon Greenberg cited a Team Marketing Report study as showing that NHL teams “instituted the largest ticket percentage increase among the pro hockey league, the NBA and the NFL for the second consecutive season.” The ‘13 MLB ticket average “will be released at the start of the season.” None of the averages “includes club, premium or suite tickets.” The Team Marketing Report Fan Cost Index shows that NHL season-ticket prices for the current season “went up 5.7 percent,” with the average season ticket for non-premium seats costing $61.01. The Maple Leafs have the “most expensive average ticket at $124.69,” followed by the Jets “at $97.84.” The top U.S. teams “in terms of average ticket price” are the Capitals at $79.25, the Rangers at $72.04 and Flyers at $71.59 (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 2/13).

NET PROFIT: The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Tom Perrotta writes the dispute over prize money between the BNP Paribas Open and the ATP World Tour BOD has “become a catalyst for change in a sport known for a complex management structure, heavy bureaucracy and conflicts of interest.” There are “two tours, the ATP for the men and the WTA for women.” There also is the Int'l Tennis Federation, which “governs the Grand Slam events, and dozens of other federations and management companies that both represent players and manage tournaments.” All of them have “competing interests when it comes to the season's length and total purse.” And now “more than ever, players are saying they've had enough -- and that they want a union just for them” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/14).